Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Grows Position in National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) by 13.2% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 119,170 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 13,864 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.’s holdings in National Grid were worth $7,081,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FMR LLC grew its position in National Grid by 77.3% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,989,726 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $277,964,000 after buying an additional 1,739,566 shares during the period. Merewether Investment Management LP purchased a new position in shares of National Grid in the 3rd quarter valued at about $66,535,000. Ausbil Investment Management Ltd acquired a new position in National Grid in the 3rd quarter worth about $62,421,000. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd purchased a new position in National Grid during the third quarter worth approximately $38,021,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in National Grid in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,097,000. 4.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on NGG. Citigroup raised shares of National Grid from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of National Grid in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “buy” rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, National Grid currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

National Grid Stock Performance

Shares of NGG opened at $61.60 on Wednesday. National Grid plc has a 52-week low of $55.13 and a 52-week high of $73.40. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $60.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $63.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18.

National Grid Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 14th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd were given a dividend of $2.4939 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. This represents a yield of 4%.

National Grid Company Profile

National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. It operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, New York, National Grid Ventures, and Other segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales.